Distributed engine processing system

• US 6,665,606 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Inventors: Mathew, Joseph Cheri, Dollmeyer, Tom, Brunemann, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolfe, Willis R.
• Application Number:
  US09/789,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20020116116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/2, 701/33, 701/101, 701/102, 701/103, 701/114, 701/115, 180/167, 123/350, 123/478, 123/399
• US Class Current: 701/114
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/12 Timing of calculation, i.e. specific timing aspects when calculation or updating of engine parameter is performed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2487 Methods for rewriting
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

The present invention provides a distributed engine processing system, which includes a plurality of engines with an electronic engine control module located within each of the engines. The electronic engine control module is in substantially continuous communication with a server, located remotely from the electronic engine control module. There is included in the invention a means of communication between the electronic engine control module and the server. The invention further provides a method for distributing engine processing. The electronic engine control module downloads engine information to a common server, which performs processing and analysis of the downloaded information from each engine and processing and analysis of the information downloaded by all engines. After the processing, the server stores all the information within a memory of the server. The invention also provides a method for adaptation of the engine in response to the analyses by the server and a method for notification of the engine operator of the changes made to the engine or any necessary services that should be performed on the engine.

Claims

1. A distributed engine processing system, comprising:

a plurality of engines;

a plurality of electronic engine control modules each configured to control, and to collect engine data relating to, operation of a corresponding one of said engines;

a server located remotely from each of said plurality of electronic engine control modules; and

a communications network established between each said plurality of electronic engine control modules and said server;

wherein each of said plurality of electronic engine control modules is configured to provide said engine data collected thereby to said server via said communications network, said server analyzing said engine data for all of said plurality of engines and determining adjustment instructions based thereon, said server transmitting said adjustment instructions to each of said plurality of electronic engine control modules via said communications network, and each of said plurality of electronic engine control modules electronically adjusting operation of a corresponding one of said plurality of engines based on said adjustment instructions.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said communications network is configured for substantially continuous communications between said plurality of engine control modules and said server.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said server includes a central processing unit configured to analyze said engine data for all of said plurality of engines and determine said adjustment instructions based thereon.

4. The system of claim 3 where said server further includes a memory unit coupled to said central processing unit, said memory unit having stored therein statistical models of said plurality of engines.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said central processing unit is configured to analyze said engine data for all of said plurality of engines by comparing said engine data for all of said plurality of engines and said statistical models stored in said memory unit, said central processing unit determining said adjustment instructions based on said comparison.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said adjustment instructions include notification information indicative of electronic adjustments made to the operation of said plurality of engines resulting from said adjustment instructions.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein each of said plurality of said electronic engine control modules is responsive to said notification information to notify an operator of a corresponding one of said engines of said electronic adjustments.

8. A method of electronically adjusting operation of a plurality of internal combustion engines via a server located remotely from the plurality of engines, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving via a communications network engine data collected from each of the plurality of engines by associated ones of a corresponding plurality of electronic engine control modules;

analyzing the engine data collected by each of the plurality of electronic engine control modules;

determining, based on the analyzing step, adjustment instructions for electronically adjusting operation of each of the plurality of engines via corresponding ones of the plurality of electronic engine control modules; and

transmitting via the communications network the adjustment instructions to each of the plurality of electronic engine control modules.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the server includes a memory unit having stored therein statistical models of the plurality of engines;

and wherein the analyzing step includes comparing the engine data for all of the plurality of engines and the statistical models stored in the memory unit;

and wherein the determining step includes determining the adjustment instructions based on the comparing step.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the adjustment instructions include notification information indicative of electronic adjustments made to the operation of the plurality of engines resulting from the adjustment instructions.

11. A method of electronically adjusting operation of a plurality of internal combustion engines via ones of a corresponding plurality of electronic engine control modules, the method comprising the steps of:

collecting engine data from the each of the plurality of engines;

transmitting via a communications network the engine data collected from each of the plurality of engines to a server located remotely from the plurality of engines, the server analyzing the engine and determining adjustment instructions based thereon;

receiving via the communications network the adjustment instructions determined by the server; and

electronically adjusting operation of each of the plurality of engines based on the adjustment instructions.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the adjustment instructions include notification information indicative of electronic adjustments made to the operation of the plurality of engines resulting from the adjustment instructions.

13. The method of claim 12 further including the step of notifying operators of the plurality of engines of the electronic adjustments.